By Jenna MacDermant
Dozens of kids will be pounding the pavement for candy, shouting “Happy Halloween!” But the holiday most known for scary witches and frightening monsters is actually a Catholic holiday.
“Halloween was started as a way of complimenting All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day,” said Father James Cunningham, a Halloween expert who wears costumes every year to hand out candy to the kids of Belle Harbor, Queens.
He says to understand how Halloween came to be, you first need to look at All Saints’ Day.
“All Saints’ Day was mentioned by St. Ephrem in 373 the first time, but then didn’t become a feast of the Church until the 8th century,” he said.
It was Pope Gregory III who encouraged priests to celebrate the holy day of obligation after he consecrated a chapel to all martyrs.
The feast following it, All Souls’ Day, wouldn’t begin until nearly three centuries later.
“All Souls’ Day was added so we could remember the faithfully departed,” he continued.
With the Church celebrating the souls of those in heaven and in purgatory, one group posed a question.
“Irish pagans who experienced conversion in their lives said, ‘If we’re going to celebrate the saints and we’re going to celebrate all the souls—why not pray for the souls in hell?’ ” Father James said.
Thus, All Hallows Eve was born.
So among the trick-or-treaters and the Halloween fun, Father James reminds Catholics to remember their faith.
“It’s really a time for us to be inspired, you know? Learn more about the saints! And pray for those who have passed,” he said.